For many it isBathroom an oasis of well-beingand a wellness area where you can relax and feel the soothing power of the hot water. But so that we can enjoy our personal oasis of peace, hygiene plays a major role. Mold forms, especially in damp rooms. Dust and dirt also collect in the joints, in the shower cubicle and around the bathtub and can remain unnoticed for a long time in all corners and edges. This makes it all the more important that the bathroom is cleaned regularly, even if it looks clean at first glance. In today's article we will explain to you how you can wash the shower curtain. The good news: You don't have to resort to chemical cleaning products straight away, you can also clean the shower curtain using home remedies.
Fabric shower curtains add thatBathroom a touch of luxury. In stores you can find versions made of linen fabric and cotton. The high-quality textile curtains are treated with a special oil that forms a protective film on the surface of the fabric. This makes the fabric water-repellent and significantly fewer fungi and bacteria accumulate on its surface. However, this protective layer can easily be destroyed, especially by heat. That's why you should follow the manufacturer's instructions on the label and wash the textiles as gently as possible. This means no temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius, no spinning, and no bleach!
The gentle, delicate cycle is usually suitable, although you should first remove stains from the fabric. This is very easy to do: slightly moisten a sponge and add about 10 ml of citric acid to it. Rub the citric acid and then rinse the curtain thoroughly.
Alternatively, you can also wash the fabric curtain by hand. To do this, simply place the curtain in a bucket, fill it with water to the brim and add citric acid. Stir the water lightly with your hands and let the curtain soak for about half an hour. Then hang it up again and rinse well with the shower. Ventilate the bathroom at least 5 times.
Most textiles are not suitable for tumble drying, so you have to hang the shower curtain either in the fresh air or directly in the bathroom. If the bathroom has a window, you can ventilate it well, otherwise you should let the shower curtain ventilate outside.
Care for the fabric shower curtain and protect it from mold
Textiles, even if treated, are much more vulnerablefor mold and bacteria. However, if you take good care of them, they can last longer than polyester and plastic. You can rub tea tree oil on the curtain to protect it from moisture. You can also find special waterproofing products in stores with which you should treat the curtain every two weeks. To be on the safe side, first test in an invisible area to see whether the oil or waterproofing agent leaves stains.
Wash the fabric curtain at least once a month, air it every three weeks and always leave it open in the bathroom so that it can dry completely.
Washing polyester and plastic shower curtains: tips for cleaning without chemical detergents
Of course it is important that theShower curtain is clean. But that doesn't mean you have to expect extensive cleaning. You can save yourself the effort if you spray the curtain with a solution of Australian tea tree oil every day. The oil has antibacterial properties and can effectively protect the fabric from mold and fungi.
This is how you can remove soap residue from PVC curtains: Fill a bucket with a solution of water and vinegar in a ratio of 8: 3 and add 50 g of baking soda. Stir the whole thing until the baking soda is completely dissolved and place the PVC shower curtain in it. After 30 minutes you can take it out of the bucket again and rinse it well with cold water. Allow the shower curtain to dry in a ventilated and shady place before hanging it up again. The mixture of baking soda and vinegar can effectively remove not only dirt but also unpleasant odors.
If you want to wash your PVC shower curtain, you can briefly dip a cotton glove or a glove with an exfoliating and massage effect into a solution of vinegar and water and put it on. Hold the shower curtain with one hand and then rub it well with the glove with the other hand. Continue until all impurities are removed. Then rinse the PVC shower curtain well and let it air dry. Good care also includes ventilation: you can air the curtains made of polyester or plastic two or three times a month when the weather is good.
Wash PVC shower curtain in the washing machine
Before you put the shower in the washing machine, you should remove dirt and impurities. If the edge of the curtain is very dirty, you can clean and rinse it with a soft sponge and baking soda.
Normally, a gentle wash cycle for delicates without spinning is an option. You can use twice as little detergent as usual, but add 20 to 40 ml of vinegar or lemon juice to the fabric softener compartment. Such a wash usually leaves its mark: wrinkles. To avoid this, you can put 2-3 towels in the washing machine. Unless otherwise stated, plastic shower curtains should be washed cold or at 30 degrees Celsius and never tumble dried. After the end of the wash cycle, take out the curtain and hang it in the fresh air.
Wash or replace shower curtain?
Even with good care, discoloration and mold formation will occur over time. If you want to extend the life of the shower curtain, you can buy a second one and swap the two every two weeks.
And how can you tell when the shower curtain needs to be replaced? If stains remain after washing or if mold forms, then it is better to throw away the shower curtain. You should never use shower curtainsMold stainswash in the washing machine. Even if the shower curtain has an unpleasant smell that does not go away after washing, you should replace it with a new one.
Choose the right shower curtain for your own bathroom
A shower curtain is much more than a functional addition to the bathroom design, it is an important decorative element. To ensure it lasts a long time, you should choose the right material.
- Shower curtains made of polyester or plastic are idealfor small bathroomsand bathrooms without windows. High humidity cannot damage them and cleaning products usually do not leave stains.
- Fabric shower curtains are more delicate, so they are better suited to well-ventilated bathrooms with a window.
The motifs and colors also play an important role. Curtains made of light-colored fabrics are better because stains or dirt are easier to see on light-colored textiles. Beige, white, blue, green and gray cut a good figure in the bathroom and prove to be optimal.
If you want a not only functional but also stylish addition to the bathroom interior, you can take a look at the Urban Outfitters collection. The fashion brand has now also become popular for its high-quality shower curtains.Various motifs decorate the shower curtainsand transform them into true pieces of art that spice up the interior and give the bathroom character and charm.
All models shown are from Urban Outfitters
